Thank you!

This was the capital of the Qutub Shahi dynasty and is also known as the Golla Konda Fort. It is a few kilometers from the Hussain Sagar Lake and is a huge and mighty fort till date to have been built on a hilltop. Originally known as Mankal, this was a palace built in the 12th Century in place of what was earlier a mud palace built by the king of Warangal. This was later fortified in the 14th and 17th centuries and the credit for this goes to the Bahmani Sultanate. One of the architectural marvels of Hyderabad, there are a numkber of gates out of which the most famous is the Fateh Darwaza which could be crossed by Aurangzeb once. This fort is on top of a granite hill and is itself also made of granite.

This was the capital of the Qutub Shahi dynasty and is also known as the Golla Konda Fort. It is a few kilometers from the Hussain Sagar Lake and is a huge and mighty fort till date to have been built on a hilltop. Originally known as Mankal, this was a palace built in the 12th Century in place of what was earlier a mud palace built by the king of Warangal. This was later fortified in the 14th and 17th centuries and the credit for this goes to the Bahmani Sultanate. One of the architectural marvels of Hyderabad, there are a numkber of gates out of which the most famous is the Fateh Darwaza which could be crossed by Aurangzeb once. This fort is on top of a granite hill and is itself also made of granite.

Golconda Fort is the most famous of all Hyderabad sightseeing places. The name of the fort has been derived from the Telugu words "Golla" and "Konda" which together means 'Shepard's Hill'. Founded in the approximately 12 th Century by the Kakatias Kings, this massive Golconda Fort with eight gates and 87 bastions was later built by Qutub Shahi Kings.

This ruined fort is an architectural marvel in itself. Situated some 11 km outside of the main city of hyderabad, Golconda fort was built as a defense system against the southern front. The famous kohinoor diamond and the hope diamond are the important elements of this fort now almost into the ruins

We started day 2 from Tolichowki again and reached Golconda fort. There is a cloak room and restaurants like Cafe Coffee Day near main entrance. Fort was first build by Kakatiya centuries ago and was extend by Nizams. Golconda was famous for diamond mines and served as fort for many dynasties who ruled Golconda until Nizams were asked to surrender by Indian Govt. There are stairs which will take you to the top of the fort and give you full view of the old and new Hyderabad. It is typical fort with three layers of security and eight gates. Golconda fort is famous for magical acoustic system. It is big fort with almost everything like cellar, darbar, stable, mosque, temples, tombs, secret tunnel, cannon posts, chambers, etc. and it is impossible to explore every nook and corner of Golconda fort in a day. May be Wikipedia page can help you learn more about Golconda fort or hire a guide. We left the Golconda fort for Qutub Shahi tomb which is located nearby.

Post lunch, head to the Qutub Shahi Tombs. The tombs are't very far from Tolichowki and an autorickshaw or OLA will take you there. This is a majestic place! Some of the tombs and the baoli are undergoing renovation. Look closely and you'll still manage to find the intricate stone work and carvings. Do visit the tiny museum; it provides a great perspective of how the architecture evolved and history associated with the place. From the Qutub Shahi Tombs head to the Golkonda Fort. Here again I advise you to take a professional guide. The fort is mostly in ruins, hence you won't appreciate the grandeur of the place unless you are shown around. Do climb to the top of the fort and you'll be greeted by a panoramic view of the city skyline. Stay back for the light and sound show. If you feel a trip to Hyderabad is incomplete without a visit to Paradise, the place famous for Hyderabadi Biriyani, do visit one. My personal recommendation will be to visit the Jewel of Nizam restaurant at the outskirts of the city. Do make a reservation for this place and also arrange for a car to take you and get you back from there. In case the Jewel of Nizam doesn't work out for you, then I suggest Kabul Darbar for some authentic Afghan fare. If you want vegetarian stuff, head to Chutneys or Bikanerwala.You can also plan Saturday a bit differently starting with Hussain Sagar. Follow it up with Salarjung, Lunch Break, Chowmahalla, Mecca Masjid and finally Charminar. This way you can also get to shop at Laad Bazaar and capture the Charminar at night. Whatever suits you!

Golconda Fort almost surprised me! I didn’t expect the fort to be so huge and carry such an amazing history. A few movies like Tere Naam have been shot in the fort. You make the choice to see the whole fort or only half of it. The whole fort takes upto 3 hours to see because of the number of steps that take you to the highest point of the Fort. (Wear shoes!) There lies a temple at the highest tip of the fort. Advice- Take a guide so you will be able to learn about the history of the fort because there is nothing that provides you the details of the same. You may walk up to the tip of the fort but will not know anything about the history of the same, also you may miss out on a few important areas that lie hidden in the fort. Hence, take the services of the guide and take a tour of the whole fort. A light and sound show is organized at the fort around 6 pm (timing varies according to season). If you have seen the fort, then you may skip the show but if you haven’t walked all through the fort, then this will help.

Now feeling hungry? As Sun is at its peak and I’m slowly hiking down from Golconda. In the afternoon, went to Birla Mandir in the city. Birla Mandir, was built on a 280 feet high hillock called Naubath Pahad on 13 acres. The temple offers a blend of Dravidian and Rajasthani architectures. And you better not take any electronic items with as you might have to stand in long queues. It's 6 PM and I’m heading towards my hotel as It was long and hectic day Saturday. Day 1, was all about exploring the historical heritage of Golconda Fort and beautiful Birla Mandir. Had an amazing Veg Biryani with a friend in Paradise, Gachibowli.

Take a walk through history at The Golconda Fort.Even though only ruins of the original majestic fort remain, it still has an idyllic charm that is capable of captivating travelers. Exploring the entire fort on foot will probably teach you more history than all your high school lessons. An interesting fact about India related to Golcoda Fort is that it once had a vault that stored the famed Koh-i-Noor diamond.

Golconda fort too has its own grandeur. Remarkable use of acoustics in the fort to communicate messages is the major attraction. If you clap in the portico (a spot just under the dome) of the main entrance of Bala Hissar, it can be heard clearly in the Bala Hissar pavilion on the top of the hill. Also, the exceptional engineering skill in lifting water by Persian wheels to the top of the hill through intricate pipelines and storage in overhead tanks is worth mentioning.Qutub Shahi dynasty were Persians by descent and because of which a strong Persian influence is seen throughout the fort. Large fountains, luxury baths are evidences of the luxurious lifestyle. Hard to believe, but separate outlets for hot and cold water were used in the bath tubs! A network of earthen pipes were used to supply water to the residents of the fort in different Mahals, gardens, fountains etc and even to the mortuary baths where the royals were given their last bath. This water was drawn from Durgam Cheruvu Lake, which was 5 km away from the fort. I wondered how the Royals planned such an efficient water supply system in an area of water scarcity! The water was used not only for daily work or agriculture but also to carry out the overall luxurious lifestyle, maintaining the gardens, operating fountains, baths etc. Qutub Shah rulers like many other benevolent kings, constructed many water tanks and lakes in Hyderabad, to name a few – the Satham Cheruvu, Ibrahipatnam Cheruvu, Nampally tank, Ma Saheba Tank, Hussain Sagar etc.The Fort is 400 ft high, has eight entrances and surrounded by 10 km long wall. We entered through the Fateh Darwaza. We got a guide book with a rough sketch map of the fort and some details. My teenage daughter, the most enthusiastic of us, took hold of the guide book and literally guided us through the fort.It’s her interest in historical places that brought us to Hyderabad ,I must say.

I started my 2nd day in Hyderabad by visiting Golconda fort. If you are a history buff or a photo fanatic or a selfie king/queen. This place is a must visit. This fort takes takes you back in time when the battles were fought and when the kings ruled. Beautiful architecture keeps you stunned. If someone plans to visit in the evening, light and sound show should not be missed. It is supposed to mesmerizing.The next on my list was a tree, Hathiyan Ka Jhad. Does that sound funny ? So, actually while I was doing my research bit before making a trip to Hyderabad, I stumbled upon some random article online which mentioned about this 400 year old tree. I found it extremely fascinating and due to the proximity of this place to Golconda fort, I managed to plan out the visit perfectly in my head and even in reality.I was a little skeptical initially if anyone would even know about this place but surprisingly an auto driver took me and my friend to this historical tree and even narrated us the known rumors about it. The point I am trying to make here is, it was more famous than I thought it would be. Hathiyan ka Jhad has got its name because of its humongous sized trunk which resembles like the feet of an elephant. It is located in the sprawling lawns of the Naya Quila premises of Golconda fort which is now a golf course.One of the famous stories that the local residents believe is that this Baobab tree was once a shelter to the famous thief of the our childhood stories, Ali baba and the 40 thieves. Who knows if there is any reality to it but it can be true because the massive trunks encircle to form a hollow cave in between which can be used as a perfect hiding place as experienced by us and its perfectly dark inside.

Next destination was Golkunda Fort. Golconda Fort in Hyderabad is a majestic monument. Its approx 11 KM from City. However most of the parts are completely ruined but you can feel how beautiful it was before.Remarkable acoustic system, hot and cold water supply system, natural air conditioning and turkish baths, the remains of its once splendid palace and garden give an idea of its former grandeur and how well planned the fort was. Word of caution "carry lots of water and good pair of walking shoes" and explore this archeological treasure.Acoustic system - at the main gate there is one area where if you can clap, the sound can be hear top of the fort. That was the signal the king's army used to give message. You can hire a guide to roam around every nook and corner of the fort and to hear interesting stories.

Hardly 200 meter from resort, Gandikota fort. Let me take all of you back and talk about the history (source internet)Gandikota small village on the right bank of the river Penna was founded in 1123 by Kapa Raja, the Western Chalukyan king of Kalyana.The town played a significant role during the Kakatiya, Vijayanagara and Qutub Shahi periods. The fort was made more secure and solid by Pemmasani Thimma Nayudu.The fort of Gandikota acquired its name due to the 'gorge' (in Telugu it is called 'gandi'), formed between the Erramala range of hills, also known as Gandikota hills and the river Pennar that flows at its foot, reducing its width to a mere 300 ft.

Hardly 200 meter from resort, Gandikota fort. Let me take all of you back and talk about the history (source internet)Gandikota small village on the right bank of the river Penna was founded in 1123 by Kapa Raja, the Western Chalukyan king of Kalyana.The town played a significant role during the Kakatiya, Vijayanagara and Qutub Shahi periods. The fort was made more secure and solid by Pemmasani Thimma Nayudu.The fort of Gandikota acquired its name due to the 'gorge' (in Telugu it is called 'gandi'), formed between the Erramala range of hills, also known as Gandikota hills and the river Pennar that flows at its foot, reducing its width to a mere 300 ft.

Once the rains settled, I left for the Gandikota Fort which is about 1-1.5 kilometers from the resort. The fort is not very well maintained, is in ruins and has some people dwelling in the ruins. I wandered around the vast area of the fort, climbing the fort walls and getting mesmerized by the aerial view from top.

The road from Jammalamadugu to Gandikota fort is a 16 km long, zigzag, one lane road most bikers will love to drive on. This fort was constructed over Erramla hills and a gorge is made between the nearby flowing river Pennar and Erramla hills. The word Gorge is called as Gandi in Telugu language and “Kota’ is spelt for the home. Thus, this place called Gandikota. We can drive our vehicles inside the fort.Reaching there includes bit of rock-climbing. Once you reach on top, the view is worth. A river cutting through the hills plus the sunrise. What a view!!!!! That is why it is called “Grand Canyon of India”. No words can define the feel of watching the early morning sun coming up the horizon with the cool breeze flowing across your face.

The fort of Gandikota acquired its name due to the 'gorge' (in Telugu it is called 'gandi'), formed between the Erramala range of hills, also known as Gandikota hills and the river Pennar that flows at its foot, reducing its width to a mere 300 ft (see the river image below). Situated amidst beautiful landscape and wild forests, it is endowed with vast natural resources.
Surrounded by a deep valley and impassable hills AND with massive boulders of red granite and the river Pennar that flows about 300 ft. below on the west and northern sides, its location affords strong natural defence to the occupants of the Fort.

The official residence of the Nizams while they were the authority of the state, this ws a prominent seat of the famous Asaf Jahi Dyansty. The palace in the local language is called as the Chowmallattuu Palace. The construction began in the year 1750 by Nizam Salabhat Jung and was finally completed in the year 1864- 69 by Nizam Afzar- Ud Dawla Bahadur. Stretching from the Laad Bazar to the Aspan Chowk, the palace is a replica of the Shah's Palace in Teheran of Italy. The palace in spite of being so old has held on nicely to its former beauty and glory and is ageing with absolute grace. The detailing of the architecture and designs is fantastic. Apart from the beautoful lawns and and gardens the Tehniyat Mahal, Afzal, Mehtab and Aftab Mahals are very popular attractions in here.

The official residence of the Nizams while they were the authority of the state, this ws a prominent seat of the famous Asaf Jahi Dyansty. The palace in the local language is called as the Chowmallattuu Palace. The construction began in the year 1750 by Nizam Salabhat Jung and was finally completed in the year 1864- 69 by Nizam Afzar- Ud Dawla Bahadur. Stretching from the Laad Bazar to the Aspan Chowk, the palace is a replica of the Shah's Palace in Teheran of Italy. The palace in spite of being so old has held on nicely to its former beauty and glory and is ageing with absolute grace. The detailing of the architecture and designs is fantastic. Apart from the beautoful lawns and and gardens the Tehniyat Mahal, Afzal, Mehtab and Aftab Mahals are very popular attractions in here.

We started our journey from Tolichowki (Hyderabad) to Charminar Road and parked our bike inside Chowmahalla parking lot. There is ticket counter to buy ticket, cloak room to keep your belongings and a cafeteria to have snacks. Chowmahalla Palace or Nizam's Residence was official residence of Nizam family. It has four palaces and is worth visiting. It is said that Nizams were considered to be the richest people on earth during their time. Once you visit the palace you will find that all the furnitures, cutleries, chandeliers, vintage cars like Rolls Royce, fountain, arms and weapons, Chariots, libraries, dresses and paintings are very well preserved. The main durbar has huge Chandeliers and other rooms have colourful chandeliers. It just felt like Nizams were fond of chandeliers and created a palace full of chandeliers. Two to three hour is good enough to explore the whole palace. There is a watch tower which will help you find this place from a distance.

I thought if not Salarjung, maybe this will help me in some way but no, not really. Although, Chowmahalla was still slightly more interesting than the former. On incessantly troubling the guard, he mentioned that Mukarram Jah, the titular Nizam of Hyderabad, now lives in Australia and visits his palaces (Chowmahalla Palace, Falaknuma Palace, Nazribagh Palace, Purani Haveli Palace, and Chiran Palace) once in a year.

Another palatial museum from the Nizams. The best among collection is the Rolls Royce Silver Ghost that is said to have done less than 356 miles.The grand Khilawat Mubarak or durbar hall with it's chandelliers is just wow. The Khilwat clock has been running for more than 100 years with the most accuracy.

After Charminar, the place to hit next was Chowmahalla Palace. It was the official residence of the Nizams'. It is said that Nizams' were considered to be one of the richest people of their time. Evidently, you can witness their life in this palace. The Calmness of the place will soothe your mind.
There is a Ticket counter, a cloakroom to keep your stuff and a small cafeteria inside.
You can have a royal feeling in the main durbar. It has huge yet beautiful chandeliers, the pigeons roaming will just give you the feeling of being in that era. Starting from Cutleries to clothes, from shoes to coins, everything is kept. But sadly, the maintenance is not up to the mark.
The best part about this place is the Vintage Car Museum. Nizams' did have a fancy car collection. 1912 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost,A spectacular Fiat limousine, A Napier, 1952 Packard 200 Deluxe Touring Sedan (others I do not even remember) and several carriages, it is just mind blowing. The mind-boggling fact is The seventh Nizam Mir Osman Ali Khan used this Ford Tourer just for the purpose of going to the mosque at Public Gardens on a Friday. Yes, we are talking about the Nizams' who used a Rolls Royce to clean garbage over the city.

The official residence of Nizams, the Chowmahalla Palace was built from 1750 to 1857 marking an expanse of 45 acres and containing four palaces within its complex. The architect modelled it after Shah of Iran's palace in Tehran, and gave it a unique style and design which is reflected in its unaging elegance.

The Chowmahalla Palace is a glorious place, take time to walk around and see the displays. Its a fine peek into the lives of the Asaf Jahi kings. Don't miss the collection of vintage automobiles at the back, especially the royal Rolls Royce. It will be lunch time by the time you come out of Chowmahalla. If Biriyani is what you are craving for, then head to Shah Ghouse. Its advisable to take an autorickshaw to get there. In case you want vegetarian food or just anything non-Biriyani, head to Hotel Shadaab. Sometimes on Saturday and Sunday mornings there is a heritage walk conducted around this place. It is always better to be guided by someone who can tell you the history of the place.The next place to visit after lunch is the Salarjung Museum. The time you are going to spend at Salarjung Museum depends on your interests. The must see displays are Ivory gallery, Western Paintings, Walking Sticks Gallery and the Veiled Rebecca. You can decide your next stop based on how long you've spent in the museum and how tired you are. If you are early and fresh, I suggest make a trip to Paigah tombs. Take an autorickshaw and ask locals for directions. It isn't a place frequented by tourists; but if you love ancient architecture, you'll find this place quite intriguing.

I began my day by visiting Chowmahalla Palace. This palace makes you feel like a queen or maybe it did that to me. The palace has majestic courtyards, lush green gardens, mesmerizing fountains and prestigious collection of vintage cars. This highly maintained palace of Nizams defines what luxurious living would have been! I entered the Khilwat Durbar, the chandelier court of the Nizams and it made my heart skip a beat. Everything around me happened in slow motion for next few minutes. Felt like I was time travelling to a different era. It's difficult to take your eyes off the beauty of this durbar. These chandeliers are only lighted when parties are held there. Believe it or not. This durbar can be hired for parties. Are you planning one lately ? Why not add royalty to it by hiring this place ?Ooops, I meant palace.My personal favourite in this palace was the vintage car section. Royalty gets defined not only when it runs in your blood or through your clothes and jewellery. It is also defined when you travel grand. On royal wheels. I wanted to believe somehow that this palace belonged to me. Everything here was connected to me. May be in my past life. Let me quote myself, "This palace gives you dreams.It was then time to say adios to this uniquely elegant 200 year old palace and head to some Biryani place nearby. When in Hyderabad, all you eat is Biryani ! Atleast, I wanted to follow that mantra. When asked around, locals suggested that we should try Shah Ghouse restaurant in the area for varieties of Biryani. Being a vegetarian, all biryanis taste similar to me. So, this was also one of the not so extraordinary veg biryanis for me but it definitely filled up my empty stomach. Do not hold on any high expectations in terms of ambiance and hospitality. Go for the food. Non vegetarians might get good options. But I would still suggest. Try it out and make your own opinion.&nbsp;It was then time to explore the very famous minaret that symbolizes Hyderabad, the Char Minar and the buzzing market places around it. Situated in the heart of the old city, this monument is defines Hyderabad. Your trip to Hyderabad is incomplete if you do not take out time to visit this magnificent minaret.

Warangal fort - This places is in ruins form but maintained well by Archaeological survey of India (ASI). Fort was commissioned by king Ganpathi Deva. It has beautifully carved arches and pillars that surprised us. Also, has four main ornamental gates to welcome. One can find a Shiva temple with statue of Nandi and many more idols of Hindu Gods like lord Ganesh, Vishnu, Shiva. The extensive rock carvings on the pillars and arches will leave you mesmerized.

Warangal fort - This places is in ruins form but maintained well by Archaeological survey of India (ASI). Fort was commissioned by king Ganpathi Deva. It has beautifully carved arches and pillars that surprised us. Also, has four main ornamental gates to welcome. One can find a Shiva temple with statue of Nandi and many more idols of Hindu Gods like lord Ganesh, Vishnu, Shiva. The extensive rock carvings on the pillars and arches will leave you mesmerized.

From there, we headed back to Warangal city, and visited the "Warangal Fort". All the heritage of Kakatiya Dynasty is being reserved there with great concern. The place was full of sculptures and carvings of the Warangal Fort.

The Falaknuma Palace is probably the most royal and luxurious on this list, primarily because it was not allowed to turn into a ruin with time. Until 2000, Falaknuma was a private property of the Nizams, but due to the decline of zamindari in Hyderabad (and India), the family agreed to a more economically beneficial step and let the Taj group of hotels protect their legacy. The five acre complex has some of the world's greatest accessories, like the largest collection of Venetian chandeliers in the world, the famed dining hall, which seats 100 guests at a time and a walnut-wood library which has one of the finest collections of Quran.

The Falaknuma Palace is probably the most royal and luxurious on this list, primarily because it was not allowed to turn into a ruin with time. Until 2000, Falaknuma was a private property of the Nizams, but due to the decline of zamindari in Hyderabad (and India), the family agreed to a more economically beneficial step and let the Taj group of hotels protect their legacy. The five acre complex has some of the world's greatest accessories, like the largest collection of Venetian chandeliers in the world, the famed dining hall, which seats 100 guests at a time and a walnut-wood library which has one of the finest collections of Quran.

One would wonder why I haven't mentioned the Falaknuma Palace as part of the schedule. A meal at Falaknuma requires you to make a reservation; its not a place you can otherwise visit. No doubt its a place worth visiting, but the exclusivity sometimes make it out of bounds. Finishing a 2-day trip with a dinner at Falaknuma is ideal, only if you get a reservation that is! And yes, the budget of this trip doesn't obviously include the cost of dining at Falaknuma :)Great place for history enthusiasts. If you have the time and interest, I would suggest the audio tour.

The Taj Falaknuma is a palace which has been converted into a hotel property by the Taj Group. Amazing hotel with the best views of the city, it lies at a distance from the city. Worth a visit if you have an extra day and are willing to spoil yourself in luxury. There are entry fees for entering the hotel property.

In the district of Guntur, the Nargarjuna Sagar Dam is declared as one of the largest dams in Asia as well the longest masonry dam of India. The dam was fully open in the year 1972. The beautiful sceneries attracts hundreds of tourists here every month. There are regular tours organised here and you can opt for one to view the working of the turbines and then boat along the Nagarjuna Lake till the Nagarjunakonda Island. Here there is a beautiful museum in which is housed a huge collection of antiques for you to know a little more about the history of the region. The other attractions here are the Ethiopiala Waterfalls and the Srisailam Wildlife resort. Boating is thus the main activity here.

In the district of Guntur, the Nargarjuna Sagar Dam is declared as one of the largest dams in Asia as well the longest masonry dam of India. The dam was fully open in the year 1972. The beautiful sceneries attracts hundreds of tourists here every month. There are regular tours organised here and you can opt for one to view the working of the turbines and then boat along the Nagarjuna Lake till the Nagarjunakonda Island. Here there is a beautiful museum in which is housed a huge collection of antiques for you to know a little more about the history of the region. The other attractions here are the Ethiopiala Waterfalls and the Srisailam Wildlife resort. Boating is thus the main activity here.

Situated on a hillock in the Vijayawada city is the Kondapalli Fort which was built in the 14th century by Prolaya Vema Reddi, the founder of the Reddy Empire. The fort later went to the hands of the Qutb Shahi Dynasty. The Stone tower of the fort is what makes it look even mightier. There are three entrances one after another in this fort. The first and the main one is named as Dargah Darwaza and is carved out of a single slab of granite and the next one is named as the Golconda Darwaza. The fort is now a famous picnic spot and a tourist attraction too. The Dargah of Garib Sahib, a Persian Sain is probably the most attractive part of the fort. The Tanisha Mahal is where you will still find remains of many statues and other items of that Era. The Rani Mahal is the Queens' Palace, Gajashala is where the elephants were kept, Bhojanashala or the dining hall and the Veerupaksha Temple. This fort was the leisure retreat of the king meant for his luxury purposes. The Kondapalli Village around the fort is famous mainly for the wooden dolls made here.

Situated on a hillock in the Vijayawada city is the Kondapalli Fort which was built in the 14th century by Prolaya Vema Reddi, the founder of the Reddy Empire. The fort later went to the hands of the Qutb Shahi Dynasty. The Stone tower of the fort is what makes it look even mightier. There are three entrances one after another in this fort. The first and the main one is named as Dargah Darwaza and is carved out of a single slab of granite and the next one is named as the Golconda Darwaza. The fort is now a famous picnic spot and a tourist attraction too. The Dargah of Garib Sahib, a Persian Sain is probably the most attractive part of the fort. The Tanisha Mahal is where you will still find remains of many statues and other items of that Era. The Rani Mahal is the Queens' Palace, Gajashala is where the elephants were kept, Bhojanashala or the dining hall and the Veerupaksha Temple. This fort was the leisure retreat of the king meant for his luxury purposes. The Kondapalli Village around the fort is famous mainly for the wooden dolls made here.

So, after having our breakfast at home, we left by car at around 08.30 AM, because we knew we would reach there by 10.30 AM even after clearing the traffic jams. Being Sunday, the traffic would anyway be a little less. So, as planned we reached at 10.15 AM and after parking our car at the entrance, we started our pada yatra. When first, you look at any hill or mountain, you feel at awe and wonder how you will climb so many steps. But mind you, that&#8217;s the best form of exercise and most lung friendly activity which not only fills your lungs with fresh air, but also makes your blood pure and your heart function properly. That&#8217;s why I always love mountains.The view from the top is always alluring. You feel like a bird. You feel as if you have conquered the world and you are the King.After having spent half a day, and having our lunch up there, it was almost 03.30 PM and the Sun was descending, and so was the time for us to descend too, from the top of the mountain. But it was truly a day well spent. We felt good, rather refreshed both in body and mind.Back home, it was the usual Kitchen for my wife, Books for my Kids and Office Work for me. But the approach towards Work changes and you do it with renewed energy, and the result is always positive.Would like to quote John Ruskin here, "Mountains are the Beginning and the End of all Natural Scenery"

10. Andhra Pradesh, The "Southern Province" Best time to travel - September-April Connectivity - 232kms from Hyderabad Airport, 30kms from city railway station ! Visit the largest stretch of undisturbed forest in South India abutting the the Nagarjuna-Srisailam Tiger reserve.